Articulated display device



July 18, 1939. cz. E. STAUDT 2,166,572

ARTICULATED DIS?LAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 27, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. (772. 4:. Smuzz ATTORNEYS.

July 18, 1939. c. STAUDT ARTICULATED DISPLAY DEVICE 4 Sheets-Shee 2' Filed Jan. 2' 7, 1938 INVENTOR. [79M 5 Smzwz ATTORNEYJ July C. E. STAUDT ARTICULATED DI SFLAY DEVICE Filed Jan; 27, 1938 4- Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS July 18, 1939. c s-r -r 2,166,572

ARTIGULATED DI SPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 2'7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. CflKLf, 57770177.

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE mes ne assignments, to said Carl E. Staudt and Anna R. Staudt, joint owners with the right of survivorship Application January 27, 1938, Serial No. 187,122

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a display device of the toy stage character, although certain broad phases thereof are not limited to such application.

The chief object of the invention is to provide an articulated representation of an animated object such as man, or the like, and by reciprocation secure life-like movement of the representation.

Herein the human body has been selected as the animated object represented by the articulated representation. However, such selection is merely by way of illustration and not of restriction, because other objects represented have been from the animal kingdom other than man.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device of one or more articulated representations and actuate the same in simulation of a stage performance.

The several features of the invention consist in the means embodying the-invention, whereby the af'oresaidobjects are accomplished as well as such features as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a display device embodying the stage representation of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the curtain actuating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the several power mechanisms embodied in the stage embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4is a transverse sectional view of the articulated representations moving mechanisms, and is taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged rear elevational View of one of the animated chorus figures shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a similar View of the animated main figure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a similar but front view of a modified head'portion of an animated figure.

Fig.9 is a side elevational view of a portion chorus figures.

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9 and of a modifiedformofrotary to and reciprocatory trans- 55 formation.

of'the' power mechanism for one of the animated (Cl. 16F138) Fig. '11 is an elevational view of a further modified form of such a transformation device and is taken at right angles to the views illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a modified form of footengagi-ng surface and of concave curvilinear-type, the radius of curvature being of considerable amount.

Fig. 13 is a similar view of similar surface, the radius of curvature being of lesser amount.

Fig. 1.4 is asimilar view of a convex curvilinear surface.

Fig. 15 is a similar view of a saucer or bowl type surface.

Fig. 16 is a similar view of a spherical type surface.

Fig. l'lis-a similar view of an inclined surface, the inclination being directed downwardly toward the spectator.

Fig. 18is a view of a similar surface oppositely directed.

Fig. .19 is an elevational View of a portion of pyramidal surface.

.In the drawings, l0 indicates generally a cabinet having an opening ll therein which exposes a pair of ceilingdrops l2 and I3 and side curtains 14. The stage type opening II is closed by a curtain mechanism.

An outlet 32 may be connected by a plug 33 to a source of energy and the same supplies energy to.a motor 35 which through a belt or cord 36 and the pulleys 31 and 38, respectively, serve to supply rotational power at a slower speed to shaft 39 mounted in bearings ill-see Figs. 3 and 4carried by the back wall 29, this shaft being in the rearcompartment of the cabinet. A fan 4| may be utilized to coolthe motor when such is necessary and serves as a power drag or load.

Mounted on the shaft 39 in predetermined spaced relation are a plurality of U-shaped members 42 which serve as chorus mechanism actuating 'memibers. As shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 9, .the shaft 39 is spaced a considerable distance from the back wall 29.

The back wall 29 is apertured as at 43 and projecting through said aperture is a wire member 44 which has a T-type end 45. The U-shaped member 4 6-see Fig. 4is suitably secured to the Wall 29 adjacent the aperture and serves as a pivotal support as at 41 for the member 44, the free end of which lies beneath the shaft 39 and is engaged in the timed revolution of the shaft by the arms of the members 42see Fig. 9. Thus, member 44 is caused to tilt twice in each revolution of shaft 39 and this causes vertical reciprocation of the T-type end 45, which includes a return bend arrangement. To this end 45 is attached a chorus mechanism figure shown more especially in Fig. 6 and to which reference will be had hereinafter. The forms shown in Figs. '7 or 8 may be used as well.

It will be noted-see Fig. 4--the two end members 44 are considerably elongated and include an ofiset or inclined portion 440:. so that the end members in the chorus are positioned at the end of the chorus line near the sides of the stage and forwardly of the rearward figures of the chorus. Herein, the distance apart of the arms of the two corresponding U-shaped members 42 is proportionately reduced so that the movement of the end chorus figures will be substantially equal to the others.

For clearness, only one of the main characters is illustrated and one of the operating mecha-. nisms therefor, it being understood a second main character may be incorporated. Also, a minor principal character is herein illustrated as positioned rearwardly of the main character but ahead of the chorus.

The mechanism for actuating the major and. minor characters will now be described. The difference between the two is that the minor character, while it has animation or simulates movement of the human form only, it does not have movement from one position on the stage to another, which the major principal represen tation has such stage movement.

' Mounted on shaft 39 is a pulley 48-see Fig. 3which through cord 49 or equivalent device, drives pulley 56 and through a gear train structure, indicated generally by numeral 5I, and shown in Fig. 3, rotates the disc 52 mounted on shaft 53. The disc 52 carries a crank pin 54 connected to a connecting rod 55 which in turn is connected to an arm 56 pivoted at 5'I-see Fig. 5and having its outer free end bearing on a wire support 58 suitably carried by the underfac e of the stage floor 21.

The stage fioorsee Fig. 4-has an arcuate slot 59 concentric with the pivot 51 and a plate 66 carried by a tube BI is in turn carried by the arm 56 so that the plate 66 has an arcuate path and also serves as a platform. Tube 6I rides in slot 59see Fig. 5.

Depending from the member 56 is a pair of guide members 62 and 63, the former being associated with the pivot 5'1, said pivot being operatively associated with and supported by the plate 64 carried by the back wall 29 and providing a yielding support through the spring 65- see Fig. 5for the pivot and guide structure.

Mounted in the pivot guide 62 and guide structure 63, is a wire 66 which has an angular end 61 that terminates in a plate 68 which underlies the lower open end of tube 6 I. The lower end of rod 69 exposed thereby bears on this plate 68 and extends upwardly in the tube 6I, the latter being slotted at opposite sides as at I6-see Fig. 5. The T-shaped end II of the rod 69 is slidable in said slots 16 and reciprocates toward and away from the floor 21 asmember 66 is, rocked, as hereinafter set forth. The T-shaped end of the member II terminates in a hook 'I2see Fig. 5-to which is attached the anchorage of the main character figure, such as shown in Figs. 7 or 8, for securing animated movement thereof. It will be apparent that as the disc 52 rotates, the main or principal figure is caused to move to and fro across the stage from one side thereof has an opposite offset portion 11.

toward the center, and vice versa, and also will have up and down movement.

Reference will now be had to the power arrangement for rocking member 61 to secure body animation of the principal character. This mechanism is shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The rod 66 adjacent the pivot (51) for the arm 56 has an arcuate extension 13, said arcuate portion being a continuation of the angular portion 14. This arcuate portion 13 is positioned above an offset portion 15 on a shaft 16 which Shaft 16 is rotatably mounted in bearings I8 carried by floor 21. Between the bearings and mounted on said shaft 16 is the pulley I9 operated by a cord or cable 86, driven by pulley 8I, carried by shaft 39see Fig. 3. Each rotation of pulley I9 causes the offset arm 15 to engage the curved portion 13 of the rocking member 66 to cause raising and lowering of the transverse portion I I'I2 to provide vertical power for reciprocation to secure animated movement of the principal figure.

Pivotally supported at 82 upon the lower face of fioor 21see Fig. 3is a bellcrank 83 and the same includes an arm 84 also curvedsimilar to the curved arm 13 but reversely positioned. The other arm of the bellcrank 83 has a plate 85 thereon and the same registers with an opening in the floor 21 from which projects a slotted tube 86-see Figs. 3 and 4-and in which is mounted a rod 81. The rod 81 has an end structure 8889 similar to the end structure H12- shown in Fig. 5for the main, major figure. The minor figure is associated with this arm. The various figures, therefore, are causedto move in timed relation, the two principal figures moving in the same timed relation, all of the chorus figures moving in the same timed relation and the timed relation therebetween being that determinable by the ratio of the rate of rotation of shaft 39 and the wheel 19, it being remembered that shaft 39 in one rotation causes two reciprocations of the chorus figure power mechanisms, whereas one rotation of wheel I9 causes but one reciprocation of the main and minor character reciprocating mechanisms.

By referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that when the lever 98 is tilted by member 91 to withdraw the pin end I66 in the slot I61 of the guide I68 and from the notch H5 in bar 25 and when the crank arm II2 moves toward its lowest position, the crank arm pulls downwardly on the bar 25 and thus downwardly on the cables 26 and serves toopen the curtain by swinging the curtain arms I8 in opposition to springs I9. The curtain mechanism is then locked in the open curtain position by the rod I6I seating in said recess H5 when the bar is thus lowered. Furthermore, continued rotation of the shaft H3 is ineffective to raise the bar 25 because of the slot in member II 6.

At the predetermined time interval for which mechanism 96 is arranged to operate, the lever 98 is tilted counterclockwise by member 9'! which withdraws the end I66 of the rod I6I from the notch H5 in bar 25, and since there is an elongated slot and pin connection between the crank structure III-II2 and the bar 25, the springs I9--see Fig. 2immediately become effective and elevate the rod 25 into closed curtain position and at the same time pull upwardly on the cables 26 and inwardly on the members I8 to close the curtain. 1

The foregoing constitutes a stage display mechanism or arrangement. Reference will now and clear the floor.

be had to Figures 6, 7 and 8, wherein three forms of articulated representations of. an animated object,such as a human form or the like, is illustrated and which through vertical reciprocation of the portions 45, 1I12 and/or 88-89 secure the representation of human body movement. The form of the invention shown in Fig. 8 may be included in the forms of the invention shown in either Figs. 6 or '7 or both, if desired.

In Fig. 6 the simplest form of the animated invention is illustrated and the same includes by way of illustration an upper torso portion I29. Pivotally supporting below its center of gravity and in line therewith as at I2I, is a lower torso portion I22. Two thigh representations I23, each, are pivotally supported at I24 near the lower portion of the lower torso portion and the pivots I24are in alignment and equidistant from the line including pivot I2I and the center of gravity of. said lower torso portion I22. The pivot I24 of the thigh portion is in a vertical line through the center of gravity of the thigh portion. Pivot I25 at the lower end of each thigh portion is also in this vertical line and by pivot I25 there is secured to each thigh portion a lower limb portion I26, the pivot I25 thereof being in the vertical line through the center of gravity of the portion I26. The lower limb portion terminates in the contact portion I21 which is in the vertical line including the center of gravity of thelimb portion I26 and pivot I25. When the figure is fully extended, the several limb portions, upper and lower, are in the respective alignments are described.

Suitably secured to the upper torso portion as at I28 is an anchoring member I29 which has a hook portion I30, or the like, and said hook portion I38, or the like, is adapted to be associated with one of the forwardly projecting portions of the reciprocating portions of the reciprocating T-shaped members 44, before set forth. The amount of movement is such that when the reciprocating member is in its elevated position, the several limbs, and the like, are fully extended Upon downward movement of the reciprocating member, the lower limbs at I21 engage the floor 21 and this engagement results in movement of the respective limbs, relative to each other, and the torso portions with respect to said limbs and each other thereby simulating actual movement of the human body.

To, prevent locking or interference between the limb portions, each of the upper limb members I23 is shown provided with, near its adjacent edge, a guard member I 3I to prevent the two upper limbs from overlapping. Any other equivalent guard means may be employed.

The several chorus figure representations although exactly identical as to articluation and though having the same timed relation for movement and having the same amount of vertical movement imparted to them, it has been found usually do not have the same sequence or representation of human movement although they may so operate.

In Fig. '1 a modified form of the invention is illustrated, wherein numerals of the two hundred series indicate parts similar or identical to parts shown in Fig. 6, the bearing numerals of the one hundred series. In this form of the invention, however, in place of the contact portions I21, anchorages 221 are provided which are connected together as at 232 and the same in turn is connected as at 233 to the plate 60, before mentioned with reference to the description .of

' tical line including the figure is extended.

Either of these forms of the invention may include therein the form of the invention shownin Fig. 8 wherein 328 indicates the upper torso portion having a face and head representation 338 with eye holes 331' therein. Back of same is a member 334 pivoted as at 340 to the head portion and having a weight 335 in alignment with the center of gravity of saidmember 834 and below the same. Member .334 has the pupil portions 336 normally exposed through eye holes 331.

In the tilting movement of member 320, when reciprocated, the eye representations move to and fro due to the'weight 335 and inertia of member 334 to movement, thus simulating the rolling of eyes with the dancing or animation of the figure.

By experimentation extending over a period greater'than a year with minature human representations, a full size human representation, and various forms of power mechanisms to ascertain the critical factors involved in commercial and mass production, it has been determined that the relation of the rate .of reciprocation to the mass of the representation determines to a considerable degree the type of dance performed by said representations. Also, it has beendetermined that where smoothness of or long rhythmic sweeplike movement as distinguished from short and jerky movement is desired if the portions of the representation are quite rigid and the pivotal connections have little or no play, the actuating member to which the representation is connected, such as 44, H and 88, preferably are somewhat resilient. Also, it has been determined that different spacings of the lower limbs produce different variations of the same dance. Also, if the surface engaged by the toe portions is concave, the surface reduces or eliminates a considerable portion of the free swinging movement, while a convex surface accelerates or increases such swinging movement. The rounded portions at the knees creates the illusion of greater naturalness of the representation. It is preferred that the pivotal connection between representation portions also be of concealed character which further heightens the aforesaid illusion.

The weight of the several limb portions and lower torso portion preferably should be sufficient to overcome friction between pivotal connections so when not actuated all hang as illus-. trated in Fig. '7 and no matter what character the upper torso portion may depict, the head will b held erect.

Also, see Fig. 7, if the feet are secured closer together, the knees have a greater tendency to move outwardly from each other, while if secured wider apart, the tendency is for the knees to move inwardly toward each other. When the feet are spaced as shown, there is no predetermined tendency of movement but the latter is variable either in or out and for each leg, so the general dance movement is unpredictable.

Raising or lowering the pivotal connection between torso portions and raising and lowering the .point ofsupport .of the representationrelative to its center of gravity, each have predeterdetail in the foregoing description, the aforesaid mined effective tendencies. Likewise, the variation in thigh and calf portions and the raising and lowering of the upper leg connections relative to torso pivotal connection, as well as varying the spacing therebetween, each have predetermined efiective tendencies.

Whether the feet are tied down or free, the

power application must be such that the downstroke does not force the collapse of the representation for if it does a broken or bent leg will probably result. This cannot occur with the form of power application illustrated in Fig. 9. 1 Another satisfactory form thereof is illustrated in Fig. wherein numerals of the 300 series indicate like or similar parts. The actuating arm 3 includes a slot 344a as indicated. Two actuations 339 occur per rotation of shaft.

In Fig. 11, a further modified form of rotary to reciprocatory power transformation device is illustrated. In this figure numerals of the 400 series indicate like or similar parts. In this form, shaft 439 includes an offset portion 442 that is positioned above the actuating arm 444 so that leg breakage is prevented. However, in this form only one reciprocation of member 4 occurs for each rotation of shaft 439.

In Fig, 12 numeral 526 indicates the lower limb portions of an articulated representation having ends 52'! adapted to engage the concave curvilinear surface 560.

In. Fig. 13 a modification of the aforesaid is illustrated and numerals of the 600 series designate like or similar parts and the curvature of said surface is of lesser radius.

In Fig. 14 numerals of the 700 series indicate like or similar parts'and the curvatureis of convex character. I

In Fig. 15 numerals of the 800 series indicate like or similar parts and the surface represented is of bowl or saucer shape.

In Fig. 16 numerals of the 900 series indicate like or similar parts and the surface illustrated is of partial spherical character.

In Fig. 17 numerals of the 1000 series indicate like or similar parts, and the surface is inclined downwardly and forwardly toward the spectator.

In Fig. 18 numerals of the 1100 series indicate like or similar parts and the surface is inclined downwardly and rearwardly from the spectator.

In Fig. 19 there is illustrated a pyramidal form of surface with which the lower limb ends are associated and numerals of the 1200 series indicate like or similar parts.

In all of the foregoing illustrations, to-wit, Figs. 12 to 19 inclusive, the angularity may be changed to whatever is desired and also the radius of curvature may be changed to whatever is desired. In place of the concave curvilinear surface, it is quite apparent that an angular type surface with the portion I06 as merging at its lower end meeting the portionv Bil-see Figs. 17 and 18 respectively-,may be employed and this would be a two plane engageab-le surface as distinguished from the four-sided surface, pyramidal in effect of convex character illustrated in Fig. 19.

It is quite apparent also that a three-sided concave or convex surface may be utilized, the angles of inclination being but slight with reference to the longitudinal plane.

In Figs. 17 to 19, inclusive, the angles are intentionally emphasized for illustration purposes only.

While. the invention has been described in great is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. Also it is to be understood that the various sources of power and means for obtaining and transforming same, are merely a conventional illustration thereof and equivalent means or mechanisms may be utilized in place thereof. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the number of animated figures utilized is not necessarily restricted to those shown, nor are the relative positions of the same to be restricted to that shown, since it is evident that a plurality of animated and movable figures may be utilized in place of the single major character, which has animated movement and which is movable transversely with reference to the stage.

Various modifications of this invention which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, in addition to the foregoing are allconsidered ,therefore, to be within the scope of this invention, reference being bad to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

' 1. An animated device including a vertically reciprocating power element and an articulated representation connected thereto and supported thereby including an upper member, a lower member, means pivotally connecting the members together, the upper member being connected to the power element below the center of gravity of the former and above the pivotal connection and, in vertical alignment with the center of gravity, and a pair of articulated structures depending from the lower member, each structure including a plurality of longitudinally aligned and pivotally connected members, the upper ends of each structure having a pivotal connection with the lower member, said last mentioned pivotal connections being positioned symmetrically below the center of gravity of the lower member and in transverse horizontal alignment, each last mentioned pivotal connection being in alignment with the center of gravity of the uppermost of the structure members, the lower pivotal connections of the upper members to the upper ends of the next lower members being in alignment with the respective centers of gravity thereof.

. 2. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the extreme lower end of each structure being in vertical alignment with the pivotal connection and center of gravity of the lowermost member thereof and having intermittent contact with a base member for the purpose described.

.3. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the extreme lower end of each structure being in vertical alignment with the pivotal connection and center of gravity of the lowermost member thereof and having a relatively loose connection to a base member for the purpose described.

4.v A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the articulated representation representingan animal form and the upper member thereof representing the upper torso portion and head, said upper member having a pair of spaced eye openings therein, and by the addition of a weighted mmeber pivotally supported thereon in vertical alignment with the upper member center of gravity, and pivot alignment and above the center of gravity and having similarly spaced eye representations exposed through the eye openings.

5. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the articulated representation representing an animal form and the upper member thereof representing the upper torso portion and head, said upper member having a pair of spaced eye openings therein, and by the addition of a Weighted member pivotally supported thereon in vertical alignment with the upper member center of gravity and pivot alignment and above the center of gravity and having similarly spaced eye representations exposed through the eye open ings, and the extreme lower end of each structure being in vertical alignment with the pivotal connection and center of gravity of the lowermost member thereof and having intermittent contact with a base member for the purpose described.

6. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the articulated representation representing an animal form and the upper member thereof representing the upper torso portion and head, said upper member having a pair of spaced eye openings therein, and by the addition of a weighted member pivotally supported thereon in vertical alignment with the upper member center of gravity and pivot alignment and above the center of gravity and having similarly spaced eye representations exposed through the eye openings, and the extreme lower end of each structure being in vertical alignment with the pivotal connection and center of gravity of the lowermost member thereof and having relatively loose connections to a base member for the purpose described.

'7. In combination, an articulated representation including a divided torso having portions pivotally connected together and an anchorage on the rear of the upper torso portion, a lever having an anchorage associated end and constituting the sole support for the representation, and rotative means actuating said lever.

8. In combination, an articulated representation including a divided torso having portions pivotally connected together, and an anchorage on the rear of the upper torso portion, a tubular member rearwardly thereof having an opposed pair of aligned slots, and a T-shaped member reciprocable in the tubular member with the transverse portions seated in said slots, one of the slot seated portions having an anchorage associated end and constituting the sole support for the representation.

CARL E. STAUDT. 

